RAGNAROK 1
Author: Rocky

Naomi Wildman watched from the shadows of the cargo bay, her presence unnoticed by the two people there. Icheb and Seven were engaged in a tense conversation.

Although she'd come in the middle, Naomi had no trouble guessing what they were talking about. The rumor of Seven's leaving had already swept through the ship, and she guessed Icheb had immediately gone to confront Seven with the news, much as she herself had come to the cargo bay now. Naomi crept a little closer, to hear more clearly.

"I can understand why the prospect of going with Axum appeals to you," Icheb said, "But what I cannot understand is how you can just leave everyone here behind!"

It appeared that Seven heard the same entreaty that Naomi did, that what Icheb was really saying was, 'How can you leave *me*?' "Axum's offer is extended to you as well," Seven said gently, as she continued to pack.

"Why? Because I was once Borg?" Icheb's anger was apparent. "Because it is ludicrous to assume that I could ever belong fully anywhere but with a group of other ex-Borg?"

"I did not say that, and by your doing so, you are exhibiting the same type of prejudice and narrow-mindedness that has driven Axum and his followers halfway across the quadrant seeking sanctuary, a homeworld of their own where they will be undisturbed."

Icheb's gaze dropped. "I am sorry, Seven," he said. "I didn't mean to-"

"It is not unusual for someone who is hurting to strike out," Seven answered. She reached out to him, a little hesitantly. "Icheb, I know you don't want to lose me. I feel the same way about you. When the twins and Mezoti left, I felt bereft although I knew they were going to a better place, where they could truly belong and feel loved. I know it was hard on you then as well, but we had to let them go." Her gaze locked on his own. "Can't you see that the current circumstances are the same? I love Axum, I loved him for years without realizing it, and then I lost him. I can't turn down the opportunity now of being with him."

"What about the people here?"

"Most of the crew has welcomed me and helped me find a place among them," Seven admitted. "But this is not where I was meant to be. And after Voyager's return to the Alpha Quadrant, what then? My 'family' here will scatter, and I don't know the family my parents left behind years ago."

Slowly Icheb shook his head. "No, I don't blame you." Bitterness clouded his features. "I know that my own attempt to leave Voyager to join my 'family' was not successful."

Naomi could hold back no longer, and burst out, "But it's not the same thing! Oh, Icheb, it's not the same thing at all!"

"Naomi," Seven said in surprise. With a pang, Naomi was suddenly reminded how Seven used to refer to her as 'subunit of Ensign Wildman' when they first became friends. "I was not aware that you were here."

"I heard everything you said," Naomi said, blinking back tears, although she couldn't say who they were for. "Icheb, if being with Axum is where Seven feels she belongs, then she should go. Even though," her voice trembled, "even though we're going to miss her terribly."

"Thank you, Naomi." Naomi was surprised, but pleased, when Seven hugged her. Seven had never been one for showing overt affection. Seven quickly straightened up. "I need to take care of a few things, but I will see you both later."

"At Neelix's goodbye party in the Mess Hall?" asked Naomi. "Of course. We wouldn't miss it for anything."

Seven looked at Icheb. "Icheb..."

"I will be there as well," he promised, his voice heavy with resignation. His eyes never left Seven's retreating figure as she exited the cargo bay.

Naomi moved closer to Icheb, took his hand and gave it a comforting squeeze. "It will be all right, Icheb, it really will."

Icheb turned to her then, a look of overwhelming loss and sorrow in his eyes. A moment later they were in each other's arms. Naomi held him tightly, receiving comfort as well as giving it. Despite her sadness over Seven, the thought uppermost in her mind was that she was glad Icheb was staying. She didn't think she'd be able to bear it if he were leaving, too.

Neither of them noticed when the door to the cargo bay opened once more. Samantha Wildman, who'd come to say her own farewells, stood in the shadows, aghast at the sight before her

She took a step forward, then thought better of it. Emotions were running high at the moment; later would be a better time to have a talk with her daughter.

Torres cursed under her breath, but the hyperspanner was too far away for her to reach. Both Vorik and Nicoletti had offered to recalibrate the isolinear relays, but she had adamantly refused, and insisted on doing it herself. A stance she had regretted almost instantly, when she first got under the console. Her back, which always ached these days, especially when she was tired, felt as if it might break in two at the waistline. Torres swore again and tried once more to grasp the elusive tool.

"Do you require this hyperspanner, Lieutenant?" The object in question suddenly moved much closer. Torres grabbed it gratefully. It wasn't until she had finished her adjustments and began the process of wriggling out from under the work area, that it registered who her benefactor had been.

"Seven, what are you doing here?" grunted Torres.

Seven did not reply immediately, but reached down and grasped B'Elanna's wrist. "Are you in need of any further assistance?"

"No, I can manage-" Torres began answering, then found herself being yanked abruptly to her feet. "Thanks," she said, a little less graciously than she probably should have.

Seven nodded briefly, but made no move to go.

"Did you want something?" Torres asked as she cast a critical eye over the console, to satisfy herself that it was now working properly. She looked up when there was no reply.

"There was some additional information I wished to impart to you about the transwarp drive, as I will no longer be on Voyager when you make use of the new technology," Seven said at last. "When you bring the drive online initially, you must be sure you have reached critical velocity before-"

"Before we cross the threshold to transwarp velocities," finished Torres. "Yes, I know."

"And be sure to compensate for the spatial distortions that accompany the opening of the conduit," Seven went on.

"We will," Torres said patiently. "The transwarp attempt is still some time off, but thanks anyway." She turned and busied herself at another nearby console, and then noticed that Seven was still standing there. "Was there something else?" Torres asked.

Seven looked ill at ease for a moment. "I wished to say that...that I am sorry I will not be here to see the birth of your child."

Torres looked at her in surprise but could think of nothing to say in response. Seven continued, in a rush, "Lieutenant Paris was one of the first people to befriend me on Voyager, other than the Captain. Unlike many others, he never held my past against me."

Torres smiled, despite herself. "Yes, Tom is like that. He certainly understands what it's like to have a second chance."

Seven said, "And you, too, Lieutenant." At Torres' expression of disbelief-she had certainly never gone out of her way to make any overtures of friendship to the former Borg-Seven added, "The captain gave you a second chance as well."

"I can never repay Janeway for what she's done for me," B'Elanna said slowly, thinking about the course of her life, past and present. With sudden clarity, she recalled the day she was named chief engineer of Voyager, despite her Maquis background. "I owe her so much." She glanced at the other woman. "I guess you and I have a lot more in common than I thought."

"We do indeed."

There was silence for a moment. Torres had no way of knowing what was going through the former drone's mind, but she herself was thinking of her relationship with Seven, or lack thereof, over the past four years. They'd been rivals, both in Engineering matters and, she acknowledged now, for the captain's respect and approval as well. They were also both fiercely independent people, each determined to do things her way, the *correct* way. All of which probably added up to why they never really got along.

Suddenly, Torres found the words to say. She held her hand out. "I want to wish you the best of luck as you embark on your new life, Seven. I know I haven't always been very nice to you, or even polite, but I just want you to know, I'm glad you've got this chance. You deserve to be happy."

Seven gripped her hand strongly in return, the external Borg implants oddly at variance with the slender fingers they enclosed. "Thank you-B'Elanna."